Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway

“Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.”

Also Known As by Robin Benway is hard not to love. There's spies and tons of espionage, witty dialogue, romance, and an absolutely hilarious main character. What is there not to love?

Maggie is a teenage safecracker who's finally been given her first solo gig. She's excited and terrified all at the same time. The mission rests on her shoulders and when she loses her way it's her new found friends, Jesse and Roux, spoiled rich Manhattanites that they are, who just might be the only ones that can help this spy complete her job.

Maggie and Jesse's relationship was sooooo adorable. Yes, that's a so with five O's. Their relationship is five O's adorable. It's rare for me to like a contemporary novel that has an insta-love relationship in it, but since Also Known As is about a teenage spy and is absolutely hysterical, I let the insta-love go. Besides, they're supposed to be sixteen, and don't most sixteen year olds think they're in love after two dates?

The side characters were great. Maggie's parents were cool and a huge part of the story, which I found refreshing. Angelo, a family friend/uncle type, was Maggie's go to in any and all situations, which I loved! Then there's Roux. Roux is sort of like an insanely perky and less Queen B version of Blair from Gossip Girl and I love it!

Also Known As is laugh out loud funny. But there were a few times (very few, not deal breaking stuff here) that I wish the description had been able to keep up with the dialogue. Sometimes the dialogue would run on for half a page before I saw a single burst of description. The dialogue was entertaining enough to carry those parts all on its own, but still, it would have made the book feel slightly more well rounded. But it was a quick read and it definitely held my attention and made me laugh, so all is forgiven.

If you're a fan of Ally Carter or any an all things spy or thief related, or maybe just looking for a fun read, you need to read Also Known As. It will keep you guessing, and laughing, until the very end. Robin Benway has now been added to my list of must-read authors!

Been really excited to read this for a while! Love your review and am so happy that this book will not disappoint for Ally Carter fans! YA Spy books are so cute and witty, but can sometimes disappoint, so I'm glad that you enjoyed this book!